Japan Won’t Bury The Hatchet, Soccer Fans Won’t Behave

PNUT GALLERY

LeBron James promised that he’d win “one for The Land” and he delivered. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 93 to 89 in the NBA Championship. Coach Tyronn Lue was in tears as the city of Cleveland took home its first championship in 52 years.

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

Operation Fallujah Not Exactly A Success

The Iraqi operation to take back Fallujah from ISIS was never intended to be an overnight success, but the slow trot to winning has turned into a “humanitarian disaster,” likely not the intended goal. According to the UN, some 80,000 people have fled during the four-week government offensive, with another 25,000 packing their bags and trying to leave. Aid groups claim to have run out of resources to provide food, water and medicine to this new batch of refugees, who are now sleeping in the overcrowded camps outside the city.

What does this mean?

Refugee aid workers say that the Iraqi government should take charge of the new crop of Fallujah refugees that this operation created. However, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says he is struggling to meet the needs of the 3.4 million people in Iraq that were already displaced by conflict. Iraq could not have catalyzed a new refugee migration at a worse time: reports yesterday claim that Turkish border guards are now shooting indiscriminately at at the Khirbet al-Jouz crossing and killed at least 11 refugees in one day. This news could possibly slow migration as refugees increasingly lose options. 

Thomas Mair Treats His Trial Like A Bad Open Mic Night

Thomas Mair, the man charged with the murder of Labor MP Jo Cox, appeared in court this weekend and is as unlikeable as you might expect. Family members read tributes to the late Jo Cox and a crowd gathered outside the courtroom to mourn the rising political star who was shot and stabbed last week. Meanwhile, Mair refused to answer even the most basic questions, repeating, “My name is death to traitors, freedom for Britain,” like a punchline that just wouldn’t land. Mr. Death To Traitors Freedom For Britain did not enter a plea and is due to appear for a bail application hearing today. 

Good Read: Regardless Of Brexit Vote, Experts Say To Rethink Status Quo 

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Turns Out, Japan Didn’t Really Bury The Hatchet

It was just a few weeks ago that US President Obama became the first American President to visit Hiroshima, bolstering his relationship with Japan, but it looks like that wasn’t enough to win over everyone. An estimated 65,000 protesters arrived in Okinawa to say that Americans have worn out their welcome, demanding the closure of all US military bases on the strategically important island. The protest is one of the largest anti-US military base rallies in decades. The recent movement to send the American troops packing is in response to last month’s rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman in which an American base worker is the suspect. However, some reports argue that tensions have existed for the last 70 years since the Battle of Okinawa, where 150,000 Japanese lives were lost. 

Hungary, Belgium And Portugal Added To UEFA’s Shitlist

The violence in France over the Euros tournament has become so uncontrollable that UEFA’s responsibilities have been reduced to that of a soccer mom attempting to reprimand hundreds of feral children. The football associations of Hungary, Belgium and Portugal are the latest to be charged due to the abysmal behavior from their fans. Hungary was charged with crowd disturbances after setting off of fireworks and throwing objects during their draw with Iceland. The Belgians are also charged with setting off fireworks, while Portugal was charged with a field invasion during their draw with Austria. Let’s also not forget Croatia, who are awaiting a verdict after fans threw flares – one of which exploded – during their match with the Czech Republic. Ah, the spirit of sportsmanship. 

#pnut4prez: Trump Doesn’t Need Your Money But Asks For It Anyway

Before becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump boasted that he paid for his own campaign, eschewing his own brand of finance models for presidential campaigns. That’s why it felt a little peculiar when he released an “emergency” fundraising campaign on Saturday, asking for an urgent $100,000. Republicans have become concerned that Trump is underestimating the fundraising challenge ahead as he faces Hillary Clinton. While roughly a quarter of Trump’s campaign comes from donations, it will be interesting to see if that changes now that he kickstarted an emergency fundraiser while simultaneously endorsing the profiling of Muslims this weekend. 

#pnut4prez: Keep Up With The Crazy On The Campaign Trail

KEEPING OUR EYE ON…

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Wal-Mart Wine Named One Of The Best In The World

Sommeliers and wine snobs might be feeling a little embarrassed right now. A panel of 240 experts at the Decanter World Wine Awards selected La Moneda – a $6 Chilean Malbec sold exclusively at a Wal-Mart subsidiary – as “Best in Show.” Sales of the wine skyrocketed after the major win, crashing the supermarket’s website. In the judges’ defense, there were 16,000 entries, so maybe the “panel of experts” were a little drunk when they made the decision.